U.S. Sharply Criticizes Threat Against Taiwan

Paris, Wednesday, February 23, 2000

By
Brian Knowlton and Barry James International Herald Tribune

The United States on Tuesday sharply rejected the Chinese threat
against Taiwan, and a presidential spokesman hinted at the possible
deployment of U.S. naval forces to give a steely face to American
support for Taiwan.

''We reject any use of force or any threat of force in this
situation,'' said Joe Lockhart, the presidential spokesman. ''We have
repeated, I think, in both actions and words, that we view any threat
to Taiwan with grave concern.''

He hinted that the United States was prepared to send naval forces
to the area if necessary.

''You will remember that in 1996 we responded appropriately to what
was viewed a threat,'' Mr. Lockhart said, alluding to Chinese warnings
to Taiwan ahead of presidential elections there that year. ''And that
should give you some indication of how we view this situation.''

In Europe, officials said Tuesday that the fresh threats against
Taiwan had not altered the European Union's support for a one-China
policy, nor its insistence that such an outcome be achieved
peacefully.

During a period of tension across the Taiwan Strait last summer, EU
foreign ministers expressed their concern and stated that the Union
''supports the principle of 'one China.''' But they stressed ''the
necessity of resolving the question of Taiwan peacefully through
constructive dialogue.''

That policy, valid for all 15 EU member countries, continues to be
the Union's official line despite the latest outbreak of saber
rattling by Beijing, officials said Tuesday .

In March 1996, China conducted military exercises in the Taiwan
Strait, firing nuclear-capable missiles from Fujian Province into
waters near the major Taiwan ports of Keelung and Kaohsiung and staged
a mock amphibious invasion of Pingtan Island, near the Matsu island
group controlled by Taiwan. President Bill Clinton responded in blunt
terms, ordering two aircraft-carrier battle groups to pass through the
Taiwan Strait.

On Tuesday, Mr. Lockhart repeated earlier U.S. calls for ''peaceful
dialogue and bilateral engagement between the sides'' as the best way
to move ahead.

Although the many critics of China in Congress are sure to seize on
the latest tensions in coming debates on trade with the mainland, Mr.
Lockhart said that he did not expect any problem with negotiations
leading to Chinese membership in the World Trade Organization, which
sets international trading rules.

''The agreement is very much in our country's interest and our
national interest,'' he said of the U.S-China WTO accord. ''This is a
one-sided agreement benefiting American business, American workers,
American families. We should move forward on that basis.''

As it happens, China is currently in talks with the EU on its WTO
application.

In Beijing, an EU trade mission ended a second day of secretive
talks and prepared for a third day of negotiations, which could
determine whether the EU trade commissioner, Pascal Lamy, goes to the
Chinese capital this week to conclude an agreement.

But an official at EU headquarters in Brussels said Tuesday that the
two sides were not even ''within striking distance of a deal.''

The name of the game for the EU negotiators was access to Chinese
markets in exchange for recognition of Beijing's claim to a place at
the World Trade Organization. The list of products under scrutiny
included British gin, Scotch whisky, French cosmetics and cheeses and
Italian leather goods.

The European Union was also reported seeking more concessions on
access by insurance and telecommunications companies. The EU is the
most important of the organization's members yet to conclude a trade
deal with China.

Some American legislators say they think tension in the region could
have an impact on the trade deal. The Senate majority leader, Trent
Lott of Mississippi, has warned China not to make waves with Taiwan if
Beijing wants the WTO accord to pass.

''China is going to have to watch its conduct,'' the Republican
said this month, adding that Beijing ''must be careful how they deal
with what's going on in Taiwan.''

He said China was ''very susceptible'' to doing things that could
cause the trade deal ''to blow up.''

Congress is filled with Taiwan supporters. The House of
Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation this month to
strengthen U.S. military ties with Taipei - a move opposed by the
Clinton administration.

While supporting Beijing's aspirations for an eventual reunification
of China in principle, the EU has always stressed that this must not
be achieved by force.

In its latest statement, the EU said it hoped that every effort
would be made ''to clarify misunderstandings and to maintain
constructive dialogue.''

It urged both sides ''to avoid taking steps or making statements
which increase tension.''

The position paper issued by the Chinese State Council, or cabinet,
on Monday could not be described as going along with the expressed
wishes of the EU governments, since it clearly was expected to
increase tension in the region. But EU governments were assessing the
statement in the light of the campaign in Taiwan for the presidential
election March 18.